I'm working on a '77 factory stock L-48 car with luggage rack (rack is gone).

I'd like to know from those here that know how to do this kind of work, what they'd recommend in order to fill the holes to "delete" the luggage rack. I'd also like to do some kind of factory-style rear spoiler that would look cool.

I'd also like to add a scoop to the factory style hood.

I've never done any fiberglass repair or mods before, so I'm a complete newbie when it comes to fiberglass and Corvettes. I'd like to end up with something very presentable and learn how to do it myself with my 17yo son.

Any suggestions/thoughts/comments?


MxB

 

There are a couple of fiberglass How To books. Eckler's has one but I hear it might be out of print. Glas-Ra has two volumes; front and rear. Both are good.

The panels on your car are SMC (sheet molded compound). As log as you use SMC compatible repair products, you should be okay.

 

Since you removed the luggage rack I would change the rear bumper... Personally I like the look of the late yr bumpers if there is no luggage rack...If there is a luggage rack I like the stock bumper look better. But that is just my $.02

 

I always thought the spoilers used (on maybe the C4's?) looked like real junk - but that's only my opinion.

 

Easymike is bang-on about the SMC panels. You need to purchase fiberglass resin specifically made for SMC panels (it'll say so on the can). Regular fiberglass resin may seem okay as you apply it and while your sanding it down, but it will not bond to the SMC material and eventually it'll crack.

When you fill the holes with the proper resin I would back-up the holes on the underside with fiberglass cloth first. I don't know what diameter holes are required to mount the rack on top of the rear clip, but if they were larger than say... 5/8" I'd fill the holes with not just the resin, but fiberglass matt as well. While renewing the panel joints on my '80 I had had some small holes on the right side of the body and this is what I did. Stuff the hole with matt then pour the resin in. Sands nice and smooth - super strong.

As for the hood scoop, I know some other guys have done something similar. Maybe they'll chime in or else do a search. Either way, what I've discovered is fiberglass work on the Corvette is labor intensive, but otherwise not too difficult.

 

Bob,

Mod it !!! Change everything !!! A 1980 rear bumper would look cool... and the L88 hood scoop is always a popular option.

Filling in the luggage rack holes is really very easy.... drop the tank, rough up both the top and bottom surfaces of each hole with 80 grit, lay your fiberglass mat on the top AND bottom of each hole... sand, prime and paint. While it is a bit more complicated than than, its really that simple.

Good Luck !

 

Hi MxB,
I believe it's important to 'V' the area around the holes, (on both sides), out to about an 1 1/2" in diameter.
Then do the repair with layers of mat and resin ending up with a patch thinkness even with the surrounding area.
Do the complete repair with fiberglass and resin using NO filler.
Finally let the repair sit in the sun for as long as possible before painting.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

 

If you insist on modding it and its an original car with the original engine, consider adding the 80-82 rear bumper as opposed to trying to make up some sort of goofy spoiler that GM couldn't think of.

You would also be better off getting an aftermarket custom hood rather than ruin the original one, although original hoods for that car are easily found in swap meets. Actually, if you are determined to do glass work because it's fun, buy a "donor" '77 hood at a swap for next to nothing and mess it up as much as you like without ruining the original.

Just understand that when you start messing with bodywork that can't be easily replaced you are seriously damaging the value of the car.

 

You'll find some here http://www.acivette.com/

 

Man...I love you...have you seen this car? There isn't much left to it that doesn't exude "donor car."



...those seats? They're not bolted in

The "factory" hood--isn't. At least, if it was/is, then somebody went to the trouble to "install" a set of L-82 emblems on the hood. You can't tell from the photos, but one of the corners of the hood is "missing." Obviously an "issue" that needs attention when discussing hoods. One never knows, but I'm starting to form an "opinion" about the car. There is at least a 50% or better chance that I'm wrong about it, but my opinion is that somebody hosed the front end and "found" a donor car to replace it. I don't know jack about it, but from the outside, it looks like a 'vette, it smells like a 'vette, it must be a 'vette. Underneath the "skin deep" of things, there are a lot of "issues" that make it a bit less than ideal from the perspective of collectors and those who would argue against screwing around with the originality of it.

Right now, my perspective is that it is whatever it is--and it belongs to me--I'm going to do whatever I feel will make it a fun car. I don't have enough money to make it "perfect" (even if not original) and it is truly a learning project for me and my son. We've never touched a Corvette before (I've driven a few over the years, but I've never owned one).

Per 77custom's comments, we're going to mod whatever bit of it makes:

1: better bang for the buck
2: function over form/style
3: performance first and foremost
4: budget trumps 1-3


...in fact, I bought a hood scoop to "try" that is from some (please excuse the expletives) stupid ricer site that is supposed to mount on the ROOF of the car (they call these mods "aerodynamics;" I guess that BAD aerodynamics are still aerodynamics).

What I'm looking for is something a bit different. Unlike 77custom, I have no particular interest (though I can appreciate the "attention to detail") in spending the next several months doing JUST the hood.

I am a bit concerned about "usability." It may only have been 79*F here today, but in the summer, it is going to be hot as, well, the decent way to put it isn't how I'd put it...something akin to a "fever blister" on a ho's backside the week after the Navy got back in town or some such thang.

What I'm really looking for is a set of recommendations from this group that meets my objectives, budget and intended usage. Not a simple task.

I have a 17yo son...which means that my insurance premium is more than double (mine + woman's + boat + all other cars FULL COVERAGE) for him (liability only) alone. The car is unlikely to see any registered "for the highway usage" while I'm paying for his insurance, so it is really a "go play at the drag strip on street tires car." I kinda sorta hope that we can hit somewhere around the mid 12s...but will settle for mid 13s as a starting point...especially on street (not DOT slicks) tires.

It anyone would like to offer me any insane sum of money for it to keep it original, SOLD...I will happily buy another "some assembly required" car. So far, the only thing that I can tell for sure that I need off of the original engine/transmission is the cable shifter bracket on the TH350....

We have "knocked the gloss off of" the paint and are getting ready to do a bit more body work (fill the luggage rack holes) this weekend. The scoop should be in by next weekend. It it looks like A$$, we'll push it out the crapper door via craigslist. I was going to custom build a serious (but modern) contender to Corvette Summer, but time isn't a virtue, it is a fleeting example of why we don't live forever.

I was seriously thinking about a T/A "shaker" style scoop, but figured that if it looked good, someone would have already have done it...

Again, we're not trying to reinvent the emotional connection between the Corvette and the public, we're just trying to build a hot rod that looks good (enough) and is fast (enough), exciting, fun and relatively low-budget/maintenance.



MxB

 

I LOVE YOU BOB! You are the reason why there are SO DAMN MANY VETTE LOVERS on this Earth that WE ALL SHARE! And each of us is DIFFERENT!

Whatever I can do to help you (AND YOUR SON) ... you have from me. That is a Committment!

Do what you like my friend... you are right ... time is VERY short, so ENJOY it while you can!

Best,

Robert

PS... PM me and lets chat...

 

Go for it M Bob. I put an 82 rear bumper on my 77 and frenched in the front and rear bumper seams. I'm a fan of nicely done fender flares and wide tires too.

Fiberglass work is fairly forgiving. You can sand down your mistakes a build them up again as often as you need. I had never done fiberglass body work, or body work in general before I worked on my 77.

The books will help, but getting your hands in the dust and resin will be where you really start to gain skills. Its like a form of sculpture. You need and eye (and finger tips) for detail.

Have fun and don't worry about getting it wrong. worst case, you sand it down and try again.

 

A suggestion for the rear spoiler.



In my opinion much nicer than the stock 82 bumper/

 

Mod the hell out of it!!! make it your own and have fun with your son. The car may be soon forgotten but the time you two spend together will be there for a lifetime. You are starting with a lot more then I did and I have had a hell of a good time building mine. (see my album) Fiberglass is forgiving to work with everyone is telling you right if you mess it up just sand it down and start over. Each time you get better and better at it.

 

In the for sale section;
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-p...-to-order.html

Also, a few posts down is a rear spoiler for sale.
Good luck on your mods,

Frank

 

What I love about the C3 is the front qtr panels. I think it would be cool to sharpen and raise the lines above the wheels. Done right it could look really cool and not that difficult to do with glass.

 

This sounds very interesting, but I'm not sure I can picture it in my head. Can you elaborate or maybe draw something to help show what you mean?

 

I was afraid that someone would ask for a drawing. Let me work in it.

 

FYI...update father/son project:




...get a load of the home-made body dolly. Livin' the dream man, livin' the dream...


MxB

 

I agree with Alan, it's similair to how the holes where filled on my car.
Regards,
Nick